Eruption Column Demonstration

We were recently shown a paper by Karen S. Harpp, Alison M. Koleszar, and L. Dennis Geist that presented instructions for the safe demonstration of an explosive volcanic eruption.   In less than a second, the explosion carries up to 20 gallons of water into an eruption column more than 10 meters high. Boiling liquid nitrogen [...]

Ubinas, Peru

Based on SIGMET reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 22-24 May ash plumes from Ubinas rose to altitudes of 4.9-7.9 km (16,000 and 26,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, E, NE, and SE. On 26 May, a pilot reported that a plume rose to an altitude of km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted [...]

Tungurahua, Ecuador

The IG reported that although visual observations were occasionally limited due to cloud cover during 21-27 May, ash and ash-and-steam plumes, often generated by explosions from Tungurahua, were spotted and rose to altitudes of 5.8-9 km (19,000-29,500 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted SW, W, and NW and ashfall was reported daily in areas within 8 [...]

Soufriére Hills, Montserrat, West Indies

MVO reported that activity at Soufrière Hills decreased slightly during 17-23 May. On 23 May, several pulses of ash venting from Gages vent to the W produced ash plumes to an altitude of approximately 1.8 km (5,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.
Based on pilot reports, information from MVO, and observations of satellite imagery, the Washington [...]

Shiveluch, Russia

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was at background levels during 15-17 and 21 May and above background levels the other days during 16-23 May; gas-and-ash explosions may have occurred on 18, 19, and 20 May. According to video footage and visual observations, small hot avalanches descended the lava dome every day and fumarolic [...]

Santa María, Guatemala

INSIVUMEH reported explosions from Santa María’s Santiaguito lava dome complex during 22-27 May. Resultant ash plumes seen during breaks in cloud cover rose to altitudes of 4.1-4.4 km (13,500-14,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. Ashfall was reported in areas nearby. Avalanches of blocks on the SW flanks were seen and heard. A lahar [...]

Sakura-Jima, Japan

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 22 May an eruption plume from Sakura-jima rose to altitudes of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. An explosion was reported on 24 May.
Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) – “Reports provided courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the [...]

Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

RVO reported that during 21-28 May ash plumes from Rabaul caldera’s Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 1.2 km (3,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N. Intermittent roaring noises were heard and ashfall was reported in Rabaul Town (3-5 km NW). During 25-27 May, ash and steam plumes drifted N, NW, and W, resulting in [...]

Kilauea, Hawaii, USA

Based on observations during helicopter overflights, visual observations from HVO and National Park Service (NPS) crews, and web camera views, HVO reported that during 21-27 May lava flowed SE through a lava tube system underneath Kilauea’s Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. Incandescence was occasionally noted from the [...]

Karymsky, Russia

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Karymsky was slightly above background levels on 15, 16, and 21 May and at background levels the other days during 16-23 May. Gas-and-ash explosions that produced plumes to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. may have occurred during 15-16 and 21-22 May. Observations of satellite imagery revealed [...]